Saskia Duncan

Name: Saskia Duncan
First Appeared: 31st December 1998
Last Appeared: 15th February 1999
Played by: Deborah Sheridan-Taylor

Saskia Duncan crashed onto the EastEnders scene in December 1998, determined to rekindle her obsessive relationship with e20 club owner Steve Owen. Steve, however, was less than thrilled to see her, making it clear he didn’t want her around. Undeterred, Saskia stalked him relentlessly, even meddling in his budding romance with Melanie Healy. With persistence and a bit of seduction, she managed to get Steve into bed, although he later insisted it was a mistake. Saskia’s antics included a friendly, yet calculating drink with Phil Mitchell.

The drama hit its peak on e20’s launch night, February 14, 1999. Saskia stormed into Steve’s office, disrupting his time with Mel, and made a scene about their past, including a forced abortion. Drunk and enraged, she attacked Steve with a bottle, knocking him to his knees and then choking him with his tie. The chaos escalated when 18-year-old DJ Matthew Rose stumbled upon the scene. Matthew’s attempt to intervene led to a fatal showdown. Saskia turned her fury on him, and in the struggle, Matthew struck her with an ashtray, killing her instantly. Steve and Matthew then hastily buried her body in Epping Forest.

Matthew was a wreck, while Steve remained unnervingly composed. Saskia’s disappearance drew police attention, and her sister Claudia Fielding suspected foul play involving Steve. As the body was discovered, Steve pointed the finger at Matthew, resulting in a manslaughter conviction for the young DJ. Upon Matthew’s release in December 1999, he sought revenge, tying Steve to a chair and threatening him, but ultimately, it was about rattling Steve emotionally. Matthew then left Walford for good.

Steve’s actions haunted him until his death in a car crash in 2002. Saskia’s story resurfaced in 2018 when Steve’s son, Hunter Owen, learned about his father’s dark past. Mirroring his father’s crimes, Hunter killed Ray Kelly in early 2019 and buried his body in the woods, much like Steve did with Saskia. The grim legacy of Saskia Duncan continued to cast its shadow over the Owen family.